Non-clogging, non-dripping and spillage and leakage-proof air-scenting method and device

ABSTRACT

A non-clogging, non-dripping and spillage and leakage-proof air-scenting method is disclosed in which a non-clogging porous bonded fibrous mass is impregnated with air-scenting liquid of a mass not exceeding and preferably less than the dripping liquid mass of the extent of the fibrous mass. The surface segments of the fibrous mass draw air-scenting liquid from the interior of the fibrous mass. The rate of evaporation of the air-scenting liquid is controlled by allowing evaporation of the air-scenting liquid only through predetermined uncovered segments of the exterior surface of the fibrous mass.

STATEMENT REGARDING RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This Continuation in Part utility patent application claims priority ofand is a Continuation in part of a related Continuation in Part utilitypatent application filed on Dec. 11, 2010 (Ser. No. 12/928,372), titled“Non-Dripping and Spillage and Leakage-Proof Air-Scenting Method andDevice”.

Continuation in Part utility patent application (Ser. No. 12/928,372,Dec. 11, 2010) claims priority of and is a Continuation in Part of arelated utility patent application filed on Aug. 1, 2009, Ser. No.12/462,367, titled “Child-Resistant Air-Scenting Device) and submittedby the same applicant. Utility patent application Ser. No. 12/462,367claims priority of Provisional patent application filed on Aug. 13,2008, Ser. No. 61/188,858 titled “Apparatus and Method for Scenting Air”and submitted by the same applicant. As such, this Continuation in Partutility patent application also claims priority of provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 61/188,858 and incorporates, by reference and intheir entireties, each of Ser. No. 12/462,367 and Ser. No. 61/188,858applications.

This Continuation in Part utility patent application also claimspriority of a related utility patent application (Ser. No. 12/657,382,Filing Date: Jan. 20, 2010) and incorporates by reference and in itsentirety said Ser. No. 12/657,382 application.

FIELD OF AND AN OVERVIEW OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is in the field of air scenting methods anddevices for commercial, industrial and home applications. In particular,it is directed to a non-clogging, non-dripping and spillage andleakage-proof air-scenting method and device which are achieved bymaking, providing and using a resilient porous bonded fibrous foam/masshaving open pores/open cells formed between bonded fibers with differentstress-free thermal shrinkages and eliminating the presence of anyfree-to-flow air-scenting liquid mass in the device. In accordance withthe present invention, the air-scenting liquid mass iscontained/retained substantially entirely within the open pores/cells ofthe porous bonded fibrous mass. The fibrous mass has a body B and anexterior surface S. Body B has a capillary pressure BCP, a mass densityMDB (gram per cubic centimeter), an average fiber denier FDB, and afiber orientation index FOIB relative to an axis or a direction. Theexterior surface S comprises surface segments SG. Surface segments SGhave at least one of i) a capillary pressure SCP, where SCP is higherthan said capillary pressure BCP, ii) a mass density of MDSG (gram/cubiccentimeter) where MDSG is higher than said mass density MDB, iii) anaverage fiber denier FDSG where FDSG is lower than said FDB, iv) fiberorientation/alignment index FOISG where FOISG is higher than said FOIBas measured relative to said axis or direction, and v) a surfactantcoating applied to said surface segments.

In accordance with the present invention, a method of making anon-clogging resilient porous bonded fibrous foam or mass comprises thesteps of:

1) providing an intimately-blended fibrous mass, said fibrous masscomprising a first group of staple fibers and a second group of staplefibers, said first group of staple fibers and said second group ofstaple fibers being non-absorbent of and non-reactive with (i.e., inertto) the liquid to be wicked by and evaporated through the surface of theformed non-clogging resilient porous bonded fibrous foam/mass or to beheld within the open pores/open cells of said foam/mass, said firstgroup of staple fibers having i) a percent weight W1 (%) of weight ofsaid fibrous mass, ii) an average fiber denier D1, iii) a ratio N1 whereN1 is equal to W1/D1, iv) a staple length L1, in the range of 1.5 to 3.5inches, v) a tack point T1 and vi) a percentage longitudinal stress-freeshrinkage S1 (%) at said tack point T1, said second group of staplefibers having i) a percent weight W2 (%) of weight of said fibrous mass,ii) an average fiber denier D2, iii) a ratio N2 where N2 is equal toW2/D2, iv) a staple length L2, in the range of 1.5 to 3.5 inches, v) atack point T2, where T2 is higher than T1 by at least 50 degreesFahrenheit, vi) a percentage longitudinal stress-free shrinkage S2 (%)at said tack point T1, and a ratio R equal to N1/N2 and being within therange of 0.5 to 3.0, and preferably within the range of 1.0 to 2.25 anda percentage longitudinal stress-free shrinkage difference SD (%) equalto the absolute (positive) value of the difference between S1 (%) and S2(%) and being at least equal to 5.0%,2) heating said fibrous mass to a temperature of at least T1 but lowerthan T2 by feeding said fibrous mass into a heat bonding (cohesivebonding) die, said bonding die having a feed/inlet zone, a heating zone,a tapered compaction zone and a shaping/cross-section-forming zone formaking/shaping the final cross sectional shape of the bonded fibrousmass. The heating zone of said die is fed with hot steam or hot air at atemperature of at least T1 but lower than T2. The compaction zone ispreferably tapered, towards the delivery/exit end of the die, at anangle within the range of 10 degrees to 45 degrees and preferably withinthe range of 25 degrees to 35 degrees, per side, relative to the axis ofthe die in order to provide more effective contact and higher heattransfer contact time and rate from the die body to the fibrous masssurface/surface segments thus effecting a calendaring or glazing actionthat renders the exterior surface/surface segments, of the bondedfibrous mass, having higher capillary rise and/or a higher density thanthe interior of the bonded fibrous mass,3) Pulling the fibrous mass through said die thus dragging the fibrousmass, through the tapered compaction zone of the die, against theinterior surface of the die and causing the fibers on the exteriorsurface of the bonded fibrous mass to have a higher fiber orientationindex, relative to the direction of the axis of the die, than the fiberscontained within the interior of the bonded fibrous mass, and4) Cutting the bonded fibrous mass to a desired length.

In embodiments, in accordance with the present invention, the intimatelyblended fibrous mass may be in the form of slivers, yarns (single and/orplied yarns), braided yarns, woven fabrics, knitted fabrics (tubular orflat) or needle punched nonwoven sheets which may also be arranged inlayers which may be parallel flat layers or concentric circularlayers/annular rings having outer layer(s) made of finer fibers (lowerdenier). The heating zone of the die is fed and filled with hot steam orhot air at a temperature of approximately 10 to 20 degrees Fahrenheitabove T1 thus cohesively bonding fibers of the intimately blendedfibrous mass at common contact and cross-over points and causing bondedfibers to form open cells with aspect angle (a), shown in FIG. 10-b, ofat least 18 degrees.

FIG. 10 shows a representation of the non-clogging bonded fibrousfoam/mass of the present invention. As shown therein, bonded fibrousfoam/mass 101 is an intimately-blended fibrous mass comprising a firstgroup of staple fibers 102, shown in solid lines, and a second group ofstaple fibers 103, shown in dashed lines. Fibers from the first groupand from the second group are intimately blended and bonded at commoncontact points 104 and cross-over points 105. Open pores/cells 106 areformed between the fibers upon heating the intimately blended fibrousmass, bonding fibers at points 104 and 105 and allowing the differencein longitudinal stress-free shrinkage to cause the fibers with the lowerlongitudinal stress-free shrinkage to buckle and form open pores/cellsthroughout the bonded porous fibrous mass. The size and dimensions ofopen pores/open cells 106 depend on the dry mass density of the bondedfibrous foam/mass and on the difference between the percentagelongitudinal stress-free shrinkages of the first group of fibers and ofthe second group of fibers.

To illustrate how open pores/cells 106 are formed, FIG. 10-a shows twofibers, initially straight and of equal length, fiber 107 and fiber 108,bonded together at points 109 and 110. The initial distance betweenbonding points 109 and 110 is, as shown in FIG. 10-a, distance 111. Forthe case where, upon heating the bonded together fibers 107 and 108 to atemperature where the percentage longitudinal stress-free shrinkage offiber 107 is higher than the percentage longitudinal stress-freeshrinkage of fiber 108 by only 5%, the bonded assembly of fibers 107 and108 will assume the shape shown in FIG. 10-b. As shown in FIG. 10-b,fiber 108, having undergone lower longitudinal shrinkage than fiber 107,forms a curved path 112 which may be approximated by straight lines 113and 114, forming an aspect angle (a) as shown in FIG. 10-b. For adifference in longitudinal stress-free shrinkage of only 5%, a simplecalculation yields an approximated aspect angle (a) of 18 degrees andheight 115 of formed cell equal to [(tangent of 18 degrees X the shrunklength of high shrinkage fiber 107)/2]. For the typical case of a 2denier polyester fiber having a diameter of 0.000564 inch, an aspectangle (a) of 18 degrees and a distance between bonding points of 0.1inch, the open cell has a theoretically calculated maximum pore sizeequal to (0.32×0.1×0.5)=0.016 inch which is (0.016/0.000564)=28.3 timesthe diameter of the fiber. Such an open pore permits flow ofair-scenting liquid without any clogging that may be caused by solidsleft on the surface of the fibers after the solvent or water content ofthe air-scenting liquid evaporates.

In an actual embodiment of the present invention, a non-clogging porousresilient bonded fibrous foam/mass was made of an intimate blend of twogroups of staple fibers. The first group of staple fibers is bicomponentpolyester fibers having a sheath material made of low melting pointpolyester with a melting point of 110 degrees Celsius and a core made ofregular polyester with a melting point of 260 degrees Celsius and has i)a percent weight W1=50(%) of the weight of said fibrous mass, ii) anaverage fiber denier D1=2 denier, iii) a ratio N1 where N1 is equal toW1/D1=50/2=25, iv) a staple length L1=2 inch, v) a tack point T1=95degrees Celsius and vi) a percentage longitudinal stress-free shrinkageS1 (%)=24.4% at said tack point T1. The second group of staple fibershas i) a percent weight W2 (%)=50% of the weight of said fibrous mass,ii) an average fiber denier D2=4, iii) a ratio N2 where N2 is equal toW2/D2=50/4=12.5, iv) a staple length L2, of approximately 2 inches v) atack point T2 of approximately 240 degrees Celsius, vi) a percentagelongitudinal stress-free shrinkage S2 (%)=1.47% at said tack point T1,and a ratio R equal to N1/N2=25/12.5=2. For this intimately blendedfibrous mass/foam, the percentage longitudinal stress-free shrinkagedifference SD (%)=24.4−1.47=22.93%. The above intimately blended fibrousmass was fed, in the form of slivers weighing 4 gram per yard, into adie, as described above. The die heating zone was fed with steam atnearly atmospheric pressure and a temperature of 212 degrees Fahrenheit.The bonded slivers were formed into a tube having an outer diameter of1.53 inch and an inner diameter of 0.5 inch and a dry density DD of0.165 gram per cubic centimeter and used as a wick. One end of the wick(of length 4 inches) was dipped into a bath containing 4 ounces ofwater-base ink. After 16 days of nearly linear evaporation rate, theentire 4 ounces of water-base ink were wicked through the wick andevaporated leaving a high concentration of ink solids at the top end ofthe wick. This indicates that such a non-clogging nature of the bondedporous fibrous foam of the present invention is a result of the choiceof fibers for making the intimately blended fibrous mass in accordancewith the criteria and within the ranges described and detailed above.

The non-clogging resilient porous bonded fibrous foam/mass made inaccordance with the teachings of the present invention is also suitedfor use as an ink reservoir for ink jet printer cartridges.

In accordance with the present invention, the fibrous mass serves thefunction of being a high capacity reservoir for holding the air-scentingliquid mass, by capillary action, within its pores. Segments of theexterior surface of the fibrous mass, having at least one of theabove-mentioned five (5) characteristics, draw the air-scenting liquidfrom the reservoir (the body of the fibrous mass) to the surface of thefibrous mass and allow it to evaporate at an unexpectedly nearlylinear/constant rate the magnitude of which is controlled by allowingevaporation of the air-scenting liquid from predetermined uncoveredportion(s) of said segments of the exterior surface of said fibrousmass. To prevent dripping, spillage and leakage of the air-scentingliquid from the device of the present invention, the mass of theair-scenting liquid contained within the body of the fibrous mass(reservoir) is not exceeding, and preferably is less than, the DrippingLiquid Mass (DML) of the extent L of the fibrous mass. The air-scentingdevice of the present invention also features a long duration ofair-scenting at a nearly linear/constant rate of evaporation of theair-scenting liquid. This unexpected feature (the nearly linear rate ofevaporation) was found to be possible only when the fibers used formaking the porous fibrous mass are non-reactive with and non-absorbentof (i.e., inert to) the air-scenting liquid held within the pores of thebonded porous fibrous mass.

Also, the combination of i) use of non-absorbent and non-reactive fibersfor making the bonded porous fibrous mass, ii) said fibers being made ofa polymeric material having a density in the range of 1.1 to 1.4 gramper cubic centimeter, iii) said fibers having a denier in the range of0.9 to 15 denier and preferably in the range of 0.9 to 6 denier, and iv)said fibrous mass having a dry density in the range of 0.1 to 0.45 gramper cubic centimeter yielded the significant and unexpected result ofthe device non-clogging throughout its long duration performance(air-scenting) period. The unexpected non-clogging performance of thedevice of the present invention is an indication that the openpores/open cells/open capillaries, of the bonded porous fibrous mass,remain open throughout the entire long-duration performance of thedevice.

DEFINITIONS

In accordance with the present invention, the following terms aredefined as follows:

1) “Free-to-flow liquid mass” is an initially motionless liquid mass orbody i) having a planar top surface, said surface being perpendicular tothe direction of the gravitational acceleration force, (e.g., asindicated by arrow g in FIGS. 1 and 2), and ii) being contained in acontainer or placed on top of an impermeable surface whereby upontilting said container or said impermeable surface the liquid mass maybe poured out of the container or flow onto the impermeable surface.Accordingly, liquids 3 in FIGS. 1 and 24 in FIG. 2 are free-to-flowliquid masses.2) “Porous mass” is a mass or a body having or containing opencells/pores/interstices and permitting the flow of gas or liquid throughits pores, open cells or interstices upon the application of a pressureor a force difference between two spaced-apart points in or on the mass.3) “Fibrous mass” is a mass or a body made of fibers.4) “Surface Segment of a Mass” is a skin layer of the mass having athickness within the range of 0.25 to 1.0 millimeter.5) “Mass Density of a Fibrous Mass or a Surface Segment” is the mass perunit volume of the fibrous mass or the surface segment.6) “Fiber Orientation Index (FOI) Relative to an Axis or a Direction” isthe quotient of (the summation of the number of fibers X theirrespective angle of orientation, measured in degrees from a specifiedaxis or direction) divided by the total number of fibers. For example, amass of fibers composed of 50 fibers oriented at an angle of 5 degreesrelative to an axis, 30 fibers oriented at angle of 30 degrees relativeto the same axis and 20 fibers oriented at an angle of 20 degreesrelative to the same axis, has a Fiber Orientation Index FOI relative tothe axis=[(50×5)+(30×30)+(20×20)]/(50+30+20)=15.5 Degrees.7) “Extent of an object, a body or a mass” is the longest distancebetween two points located on the surface of the object, body or mass.For example, the extent of a rectangular block of 3 inch thickness×4inch width×5 inch length is the distance between the farthermostcorners, which is 7.071 inch.8) “Dry fibrous mass” is a fibrous mass containing no liquids, whethersaid liquids are i) contained within the fibers (i.e., absorbed by thefibers) and/or ii) held in the pores or spaces between the fibers.9) “Average Fiber Denier of a Fibrous Mass or a Surface Segment” is thequotient of 100 divided by (the summation of the weight percent of eachfiber denier contained in the fibrous mass or surface segment divided byits respective fiber denier). For example, a fibrous mass or surfacesegment composed of 30% (by weight) of 3 denier fiber, 20% (by weight)of 2 denier fiber and 50% (by weight) of 5 denier fiber has an averagefiber denier of (100/[(30/3)+(20/2)+(50/5)])=100/[10+10+10]=100/30=3.33denier.10) “Capillary pressure or Capillary Rise” is the highest level,vertically measured from the top surface of a liquid, reached by theliquid through a porous or a fibrous body or mass as a result of dippinga portion of the porous or fibrous body or mass into the liquid andallowing wicking action to take place until the liquid rise, above thesurface of the liquid and through the porous or fibrous body or mass,reaches an equilibrium point (i.e., the point at which the liquid ceasesto rise).11) “Bonded fibrous mass” is a mass of fibers having at least a portionof its fibers attached, to each other at their contact and/or crossoverpoints and thereby rendering the mass to act as a coherent body whichmay be handled or moved as a whole even when only a portion of thefibrous mass is moved. The fibers may be attached at their contactand/or crossover points cohesively or by using an adhesive. Cohesivelyattached fibers are attached to each other by a melting action occurringat the fiber surfaces at said contact and/or crossover points andco-solidification of the melted fiber surfaces upon cooling the fibers.In accordance with the present invention, adhesives used for bondingfibers in a bonded fibrous mass are of a non-absorbent and non-reactivenature to the air-scenting liquid held within the bonded fibrous massand used for air-scenting.12) “Liquid Volume Ratio” is the ratio of the volume of the air-scentingliquid held within the pores/capillaries/open cells of the porousfibrous mass to the total volume of the porous fibrous mass. For examplea bonded porous fibrous mass in the form of a 1 inch×1 inch×1 inch cubecontaining 0.60 cubic inches of air-scenting liquid within its pores,has a fluid volume ratio of 0.6 or 60%.13) “Dripping Liquid Mass of an Extent of a Bonded Porous Fibrous Mass(DML)” is the maximum mass of a liquid withheld entirely within thepores/capillaries/open cells of a bonded porous fibrous mass afterinitially soaking completely the fibrous mass in a pool of the liquid,removing it from the liquid pool and allowing it to drip, with itsextent oriented parallel to the direction of gravitational force, untildripping ceases, i.e., equilibrium is reached and no dripping occurs.14) “Fibrous Foam” is a network of interconnected fibers having bonds(adhesive and/or cohesive) between fibers having common contact pointsand joining said fibers at said common contact points and openspaces/pores/cells separating said fibers when the network of fibers issubjected to no externally-applied loading (tensile, compressive and/orshear forces), bending action/moment or torsional/twistingmoment/torque. As such, a fibrous foam not subjected to anyexternally-applied load, bending action and/or twisting moment has apacking factor of less than 0.91 which is the maximum possible packingfactor for the case of a fibrous mass made of circular cross-sectionfibers. The non-clogging resilient porous bonded fibrous foam/mass ofthe present invention has a packing factor within the range of 0.07 to0.32.15) “Packing Factor of a Fibrous Foam/Mass” is the ratio of the volumeoccupied by the fibers to the total external volume enveloping thefibrous foam/mass.16) “Resilient Fibrous Foam/Mass” is a fibrous foam/mass, as definedabove, which recovers—from a 30% lateral compressive deformation/strainimposed on the foam/mass and maintained for a period of one (1)minute—to at least 95% of its original (pre-deformation) dimensionswithin a period of one (1) minute from removal of said lateralcompressive strain, i.e., has an unrecovered lateral deformation/strainof 5% or less.17) “Intimately Blended Fibrous Mass” is a fibrous mass comprising atleast two different types of fibers dispersed uniformly and randomlythroughout the mass such that the probability of finding a particulartype fiber at any location, within the fibrous mass, does not varysubstantially from one location to another location.18) “Tack Point or Temperature of a Fiber” is the lowest temperature atwhich the fiber, upon being folded and pressed against itself or uponbeing pressed against another object, would stick to itself or to thesurface of the object against which it is pressed.19) “Stress-Free Linear Thermal Shrinkage” is the negative change (finallength−initial length) in length per unit length a fiber experiencesupon being heated while it is placed on a horizontal surface and allowedto shrink under no external constraints. Expressed as a positivepercentage, it is equal to [(Initial Fiber Length Before Heating−FinalFiber Length After Stress-Free Thermal Shrinkage Occurs)/(Initial FiberLength Before Heating)]×(100).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 shows an air-scenting device of the prior art.

FIG. 2 shows an air scenting device of the prior art.

FIG. 3 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the device of thepresent invention.

FIG. 4 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a container-typedevice of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a flat configuration of the device of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the device shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 shows an elongated (air-scenting reed) type of the device of thepresent invention.

FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view of a circular composite embodimentof the non-clogging fibrous foam of the present invention.

FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional view of a flat composite embodiment ofthe non-clogging fibrous foam of the present invention.

FIG. 10 shows a representation of the non-clogging bonded fibrousfoam/mass of the present invention.

FIG. 10-a shows two fibers, initially straight and of equal length,bonded together at two points.

FIG. 10-b shows the fibers shown in FIG. 10-a after being heated andforming open cell/spacing between the fibers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows an air-scenting device 1 of the Prior Art. As showntherein, it comprises a container or bottle 2 made of glass,non-reactive and non-absorbent plastics or metal. Container 2 is filled,at least partially, with a free-to-flow liquid mass 3 of an air-scentingliquid which may be a water-base, oil-base and/or solvent-base liquid. Awick 4 is placed into container 2, usually in a substantially verticalorientation, and is partially immersed into liquid mass 3. Wick 4 isusually guided/surrounded by a guide/spacer 5 through the neck 9 ofcontainer 2. An air pressure equalization vent or hole 6 is provided inorder to maintain the same air pressure inside of and outside ofcontainer 2. A cap 7 is used for covering the top portion of wick 4 andsealing container 2 at sealing closure 8. Upon removing cap 7, theair-scenting liquid, contained within the pores of wick 4, evaporatesinto the ambient air and scents the ambient air accordingly. Optionally,the top portion of wick 4 may be heated in order to accelerate the rateof evaporation of the air-scenting liquid. Also, optionally, a fan-typeair blower is used for the same purpose of increasing the rate ofevaporation of the air-scenting liquid.

Because of sealing closure 8, no leakage or spillage occurs whiletransporting air-scenting device 1 and prior to removing cap 7. On theother hand, some liquid may accumulate in space 10 between cap 7 andwick 4 which might contact the hand of the user of device 1 or drip onthe floor upon removing cap 7. Since a majority of air-scenting liquidshave skin and/or eye irritating effects, extra care must be exercised bythe user of device 1. Also, a dripping/dripped liquid, especially on atile floor, may present a slipping and falling hazard to personsstepping on it or walking on it.

The air-scenting device of the present invention overcomes the abovementioned drawbacks of prior art air-scenting devices by containing nofree-to-flow air-scenting liquid mass. Another drawback of the prior artair-scenting devices, which are designed to operate similarly, is thatthey can perform only in a substantially vertical orientation with thefree-to-flow air-scenting liquid mass at the bottom of container 4.Also, when turned upside down, device 1 tends to drip liquid 3, throughvent 6, when the ambient temperature rises. The air-scenting device ofthe present invention overcomes these drawbacks and does not drip orleak any air-scenting liquid regardless of its orientation relative tothe direction of the gravitational acceleration force.

FIG. 2 shows another air-scenting device 20 of the prior art. As showntherein, it comprises an initially sealed container 21 having acontainer lid 22 and a thin pierceable (i.e., may be pierced) membrane23. Container 21 contains free-to-flow air-scenting liquid mass 24. Asshown in FIG. 2, an air gap 21 a exists between the planar top surfaceof liquid mass 24 and lid 22. Container 21 is surrounded with a wick 25,usually in the form of a sleeve which may be made of a fibrous materialsuch as paper or a textile material or a sintered plastics particles. Asshown in FIG. 2, the assembly of container 21 and wick 25 are placedinto external cup 26. Cup 26 has a trough or basin 27 which isimpermeable and has a height 29, as shown in FIG. 2, and membranepiercing tip 26 a and an aperture zone 28. Upon pushing membrane 23against tip 26 a and thereby piercing membrane 23 liquid 24 flows out ofcontainer 21 into basin 27 and rises to level 29 a which, by design, islower than height 29. As a result of liquid 24 flowing out of container21 into basin 27 the air pressure in air bubble 21 a becomes lower thanthe surrounding atmospheric pressure and flow of liquid 24 stops. Asair-scenting liquid gets absorbed by wick 25, it evaporates into theambient air and scents the surrounding air. Also, as the level of airscenting liquid in basin 27 gets lower, due to continuous wicking andevaporation, a certain low level 29 b is reached where, similar to whatoccurs in a bottle-type water bubbler, an air bubble escapes throughpunctured membrane 23 into the interior of container 21 in order tore-establish a new pressure equilibrium between the interior ofcontainer 21 and the surrounding atmospheric pressure. Similar to device1, shown in FIG. 1, air scenting may, optionally be accelerated by theuse of a fan-type blower.

Some of the drawbacks of air-scenting devices of the type shown in FIG.2 are that spillage occurs when the device is tilted and therefore,these devices must be kept vertically oriented once membrane 23 ispierced. Also, when the ambient temperature increases, the air pressurein air space 21 a increases and additional liquid flows from container21 into basin 27, overflows beyond level 29, and drips below the entiredevice.

The above description of prior art air-scenting devices is herebyincorporated in this present invention disclosure for the purpose ofincorporating portions of it in future Continuation-in-Part patentapplications and/or in future amendments of claims.

The air-scenting device of the present invention overcomes all of theabove-mentioned drawbacks while providing a long lasting duration ofscenting the ambient air at a nearly linear rate of releasing airfreshening liquid into the surrounding environment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Device

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the device of the present invention. Asshown therein, non-dripping and spillage and leakage-proof air-scentingdevice 30, comprises the following elements/components which aredescribed and arranged relative to each other as follows:

A) An initially-dry porous bonded fibrous mass 31, having an initial drymass MD, a volume V and an extent L, as shown in FIG. 3. Fibrous mass 31has a dry density DD=(MD)/(V). Dry density DD may be within the range of0.08 to 0.9 gram per cubic centimeter. A preferred range of dry densityDD is within the range of 0.10 to 0.45 gram per cubic centimeter. Inaccordance with the present invention, fibrous mass 31 is non-reactiveto and non-absorbent of the air-scenting liquid that is or that will beused for scenting the surrounding atmosphere. This is assured byselecting non-absorbent and non-reactive fibers (i.e., fibers that arenon-absorbent of and inert to the air-scenting liquid that is or thatwill be used for scenting the surrounding atmosphere) for making fibrousmass 31. Examples of such fibers are polypropylene, polyethylene, nylonand polyester fibers. As a result, and in accordance with the presentinvention, the air-scenting liquid mass is retained/held substantiallyentirely within the capillaries/open cells/interstices/pores of body 32of fibrous mass 31 and in a squeezable liquid-phase. A squeezableliquid-phase means that the air-scenting liquid may be extracted, fromthe fibrous mass, by applying a squeezing action, on the fibrous mass,which is sufficient for extracting the air-scenting liquid, at least indroplet form, without resulting in disintegration of the fibrous massholding the air-scenting liquid.

As compared to non-dripping prior art air-scenting devices, (for exampleparchment-type paper air-scenting devices used for scenting the interiorof cars and trucks), the air-scenting device of the present inventionretains the air-scenting liquid, stored in fibrous mass 31, in asqueezable liquid-phase held substantially entirely within the opencells/pores of body 32 of fibrous mass 31.

In accordance with the present invention, fibrous mass 31 is impregnatedwith a non-reactive air-scenting liquid (not shown) having a mass MFwhere MF is not exceeding the Dripping Liquid Mass (DML) of the specificcombination of i) extent L of body 32, ii) dry density DD of fibrousmass 31, iii) the specifications and types of fibers from which fibrousmass 31 is made and iv) the selected air-scenting liquid. Accordingly,membrane, coating, enclosure or container 35, shown in FIG. 3, containsno free-to-flow air-scenting liquid and the air-scenting liquid heldwithin fibrous mass 31 is retained only in a squeezable liquid-phase andis held entirely within the open cells/capillaries of body 32 of fibrousmass 31 without dripping under the action of the gravitational force andregardless of the orientation of fibrous mass 31 or device 30 relativeto the direction of the gravitational force, thereby making air-scentingdevice 30 non-dripping and spillage and leakage-proof.

The fibers comprising fibrous mass 31 are bonded to each other, eithercohesively or using an adhesive that is non-reactive to andnon-absorbent of (i.e., inert to) the air-scenting liquid that is storedin body 32 of fibrous mass 31. An example of a non-reactive adhesive iswater-base polyurethane adhesive which is readily available from avariety of suppliers. Fibrous mass 31 may be in any solid(three-dimensional) form or shape, including flat, cylindrical, prism,spherical, cubical, hollow or any other three dimensional shape,including profile-cut, embossed and sculptured shapes.

In accordance with the present invention, body 32, (as impregnated witha mass MF of air-scenting liquid, where MF, as described earlier, is notexceeding Dripping Liquid Mass (DML)), of fibrous mass 31 serves thefunction of being a high capacity reservoir for holding, in a squeezableliquid-phase, the air-scenting liquid.

In an embodiment of the present invention, fibrous mass 31 is made ofpolyester fibers. Generally speaking, polyester fibers are inert to mostwater-base, solvent-base and oil air-scenting liquids. In accordancewith the present invention the denier of fibers used for making fibrousmass 31 is within the range of 0.9 to 15 and preferably in the range of0.9 to 6 denier. For the same dry density DD of fibrous mass 31, the useof finer fibers, for making fibrous mass 31, usually results in a higherCapillary Rise/Capillary Pressure, higher Liquid Volume Ratio, higherDripping Liquid Mass (DML) and a greater wicking action.

In accordance with the present invention, a variety of fiber blends maybe used for making the feedstock slivers for making cohesively-bondedfibrous mass 31, for example i) slivers weighing 4 gram per yard andmade of a blend of bicomponent (Sheath-Core type) 2 denier polyesterfibers having a weight of 50% and 4 denier regular polyester fibershaving a weight of 50%. The sheath of the bicomponent fibers has a lowermelting point than the core and than the regular polyester fibers. Themelting point of the sheath of the bicomponent fibers is around 110degrees Celsius and the melting points of the core of the bicomponentfibers and the regular polyester fibers are much higher, around 260degrees Celsius. Such bicomponent fibers are readily available from avariety of suppliers and in a variety of deniers and colors, ii) sliversweighing 5 gram per yard and made of a blend of bicomponent (Sheath-Coretype, as described above) 2 denier polyester fibers having a weight of50% and 1.5 denier regular polyester fibers having a weight of 50%, andiii) slivers weighing 5 gram per yard and made of a blend of bicomponent(Sheath-Core type, as described above) 2 denier polyester fibers havinga weight of 75 to 80% and 1.5 denier regular polyester fibers having aweight of 20 to 25%. An advantage of using a fiber blend with a higher%, by weight, of such bicomponent fibers is that the resulting bondedfibrous mass has higher rigidity and therefore is easier to handle insubsequent processes. The slivers used as feedstock material for makingbonded fibrous mass 31 may be made on cotton/synthetic fiber cards or onwoolen or worsted cards. Cotton/synthetic fiber cards are preferredthough their use is usually limited to a relatively shorter staple fiberlength, for example around 2 inches.

Other non-absorbent and non-reactive fibers, including regular andbicomponent type fibers may also be used, for example similar blends ofregular and bicomponent polypropylene fibers.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, polyester fibers inthe form of slivers (weighing 4 gram per yard and made of a blend ofbicomponent (Sheath-Core type, as described above) 2 denier polyesterfibers having a weight of 50% and 4 denier regular polyester fibershaving a weight of 50% were used for making a tubular porous bondedfibrous mass having an outer diameter of 1.53 inch, an inner diameter of0.5 inch, a length of 4 inch, an Extent L of 4.283 inch a dry mass (MD)of 17.8 gram and a dry density (DD) of 0.165 gram/cc. The bonded porousfibrous mass had a water and alcohol-base air scenting Dripping LiquidMass of 90.1 gram and a saturated non-dripping weight of 107.9 gram anda saturated non-dripping density of 1.0024 gram/cc. The saturatednon-dripping mass is defined as the summation of the dry mass of thefibrous mass plus the Dripping Liquid Mass (DML). The saturatednon-dripping density is defined as the saturated non-dripping massdivided by the volume of the bonded fibrous mass. An analysis of theabove data yields a Liquid Volume Ratio of 83.7%. This is an unexpectedand unusually high Liquid Volume Ratio, especially as compared toair-scenting devices that utilize sintered plastic particles for holdingthe air-scenting liquid and or for wicking.

In another embodiment of the present invention, polyester fibers in theform of slivers (weighing 5 gram per yard and made of a blend ofbicomponent (Sheath-Core type, as described above) 2 denier polyesterfibers having a weight of 75% and 1.5 denier regular polyester fibershaving a weight of 25% were used for making a cylindrical porous bondedfibrous mass having an outer diameter of 3.00 inch, a length of 4.75inch, an Extent L of 5.62 inch a dry mass (MD) of 92.0 gram and a drydensity (DD) of 0.167 gram/cc. The bonded porous fibrous mass had awater and alcohol-base air scenting Dripping Liquid Mass of 309.7 gramand a saturated non-dripping weight of 401.7 gram and a saturatednon-dripping density of 0.730 gram/cc. The saturated non-dripping massis defined as the summation of the dry mass of the fibrous mass plus theDripping Liquid Mass (DML). The saturated non-dripping density isdefined as the saturated non-dripping mass divided by the volume of thebonded fibrous mass. An analysis of the above data yields a LiquidVolume Ratio of 56.28%.

In yet another relatively high dry density embodiment of fibrous mass 31of the present invention, polyester fibers in the form of slivers(weighing 4 gram per yard and made of a blend of bicomponent(Sheath-Core type, as described above) 4 denier polyester fibers havinga weight of 50% and 4 denier regular polyester fibers having a weight of50% were used for making a rectangular cross-section (0.307 inch×0.357inch) porous bonded fibrous mass having a length of 7.02 inch, an ExtentL of 7.036 inch, a dry mass (MD) of 6.178 gram and a dry density (DD) of0.49 gram/cc. The bonded porous fibrous mass had a water andalcohol-base air scenting Dripping Liquid Mass of 5.202 gram and asaturated non-dripping weight of 11.4 gram and a saturated non-drippingdensity of 0.90 gram/cc. The saturated non-dripping mass is defined asthe summation of the dry mass of the fibrous mass plus the DrippingLiquid Mass (DML). The saturated non-dripping density is defined as thesaturated non-dripping mass divided by the volume of the bonded fibrousmass. An analysis of the above data yields a Liquid Volume Ratio of41.4%.

Fibrous mass 31 of device 30 may be impregnated with the air-scentingliquid by injection, soaking, dipping or spraying.

Polyester fibers, being non-reactive to and non-absorbent of mostair-scenting liquids, are particularly preferred for making fibrous mass31 since their use offers the following advantages; i) making the deviceof the present invention useful for water-base, alcohol-base,solvent-base and oil air-scenting liquids without absorption of and/orreaction with the fibers of the porous fibrous mass 31 and ii)increasing/maximizing the Dripping Liquid Mass (DML), the Liquid VolumeRatio and the air-scenting liquid holding capacity of the porous fibrousmass 31, as compared to devices having the same dry density but made offibers having lower density, such as polypropylene. (Density ofpolypropylene=0.91 gram/cc and density of Polyester=1.38 gram/cc).

In a process for making bonded fibrous mass 31, feedstock slivers ofstaple polyester fibers (for example in blends as described above) arefed into a heat bonding (cohesive bonding) die. The bonding die has afeed/inlet zone, a heating zone, a tapered compaction zone and ashaping/cross-section-forming zone for making/shaping the final crosssectional shape of the bonded fibrous mass. The compaction zone ispreferably tapered at an angle of 10 degrees to 45 degrees, per side,relative to the axis of the die in order to provide more effectivecontact and higher heat transfer rate from the die body to the feedstockslivers thus effecting a calendaring or glazing action that renders theexterior surface, of the bonded fibrous mass, having higher capillaryrise and/or a higher density than the interior of the fibrous mass.Dragging of the feedstock fibers against the interior surface of the diecauses the fibers on the exterior surface of the bonded fibrous mass tohave a higher fiber orientation index. In other embodiments, thefeedstock slivers or needle punched nonwoven sheets may be arranged inlayers which may be parallel flat layers or concentric circles havingouter layer(s) made of finer fibers (lower denier). The heating zone ofthe die is fed and filled with hot steam or hot air at a temperature ofapproximately 200 to 220 degrees Fahrenheit and the feedstock is pulledthrough the die. Cohesive bonding between the fibers occurs inside thedie. The pulled bonded fibrous mass is subsequently cut to a desiredlength.

Alternatively, the fibrous feedstock is adhesively bonded by dipping itinto an adhesive bath, feeding it through a squeezing die andsubsequently into a shaping die and curing the adhesive. This process isalso known in the art as Pultrusion.

Optionally, the surface of fibrous mass 31 is treated/coated with asurfactant. An example of a surfactant that may be used for coating theexterior surface of fibrous mass 31 is sold by Sybron Chemicals, Inc.,under the Tradename of TANAWET RCN. Other surfactants are readilyavailable from other suppliers. In some applications of the presentinvention, the entire fibrous mass may be soaked into a 1% concentrationsurfactant in order to enhance the wicking rate of the air-scentingliquid contained inside the fibrous mass.

Fibrous mass 31 has a body 32 and an exterior surface 33. Body 32 has acapillary pressure BCP, a mass density MDB, an average fiber denier FDB,and a fiber orientation index FOIB relative to an axis or a direction.The exterior surface 33 comprises surface segments 34. Surface segments34 have at least one of i) a capillary pressure SCP, where SCP is higherthan said capillary pressure BCP, ii) a mass density of MDSG (gram/cubiccentimeter) where MDSG is higher than said mass density MDB, iii) anaverage fiber denier FDSG where FDSG is lower than said FDB, iv) fiberorientation/alignment index FOISG where FOISG is higher than said FOIBas measured relative to said axis or direction, and v) a surfactantcoating applied to said surface segments.

B) As shown in FIG. 3, portion(s) 36 of surface segment(s) 34 arecovered with or contained in a liquid-impermeable membrane, coating,enclosure or container 35. Membrane, coating, enclosure or container 35is made of a material which is non-reactive to and non-absorbent of theair-scenting liquid used for impregnating fibrous mass 31. The mass ofair-scenting liquid (MF) impregnated into fibrous mass 31 is notexceeding the Dripping Liquid Mass (MDL) of the specific combination ofi) extent L of body 32, ii) dry density DD of fibrous mass 31, iii) thespecifications and types of fibers from which fibrous mass 31 is madeand iv) the selected air-scenting liquid. Additionally, and inaccordance with the present invention, liquid-impermeable membrane,enclosure or container 35 contains no free-to-flow liquid mass.

Membrane, coating, enclosure or container 35 is adapted to coverpredetermined portion(s) 36 of surface segment(s) 34 and to allowcertain remaining segment(s) 37 to be uncovered or to remain uncovered,thereby i) allowing a predetermined rate of evaporation of theair-scenting liquid—upon impregnating fibrous mass 31 with saidair-scenting liquid and exposing/uncovering said remaining portion(s) 37of said surface segment(s) 34 to surrounding atmosphere- to occurthrough said remaining portion(s) 37 of said surface segment(s) 34 andii) controlling the rate of release of the air-scenting liquid into thesurrounding atmosphere.

Examples of membrane 35, wrapped around the exterior of fibrous mass 31,are polyethylene, polyester and polypropylene films, includingheat-shrink-type wrapping films, preferably in a thickness in the rangeof 0.001 inch to 0.006 inch. Membrane 35 may also have surfacediscontinuities such as perforations, microperforations, or slits orhave no surface discontinuities. Membrane 35 may be wrapped aroundfibrous mass 31 and heat sealed to itself and/or onto fibrous mass 31,stapled into fibrous mass 31, or ultrasonically sealed to itself and/orattached to fibrous mass 31. Alternatively, an example of coating 35 isa water-base polyurethane coating which is self curing and may bepartially applied onto the surface of fibrous mass 31 by brushing,spraying, quick dipping or other methods. Also, alternatively, containeror enclosure 35 may be made of plastics materials, non-corroding metalsor glass.

As such, the combination of impregnated fibrous mass 31, as describedabove, and membrane, coating, enclosure or container 35, as describedabove, constitute the device of the present invention which features thefollowing novel and distinguishing combination:

1) Absence of any free-to-flow air-scenting liquid in the entire deviceand therefore a non-dripping and spillage and leakage-proof air-scentingdevice and method, regardless of the orientation of the device. This ismade possible by impregnating fibrous mass 31 with a mass (MF) ofair-scenting liquid where (MF) is not exceeding the Dripping Liquid Mass(DML) of the specific combination of i) extent L of body 32, ii) drydensity DD of fibrous mass 31, iii) the specifications and types offibers from which fibrous mass 31 is made and iv) the selectedair-scenting liquid,2) A novel combination of i) low dry density of fibrous mass 31,preferably within the range of 0.1 to 0.45 gram/cc, and ii) use of fine(low denier) fibers, preferably within the range of 0.9 to 6 denier,made from materials having density within the range of 1.1 to 1.4gram/cc, thus resulting in body 32, of fibrous mass 31, having a highLiquid Volume Ratio that enables it (body 32) to function as a highcapacity reservoir of air-scenting liquid and therefore longlasting/long duration of operation of device 30. In a preferredembodiment of the device of the present invention the Liquid VolumeRatio is in the range of 40% to 87%.3) Large open cells/pores/capillaries and therefore non-cloggingperformance throughout the duration of operation of the device. Suchlarge open cells and non-clogging performance of device 31 are anotherresult of the novel combination of i) low dry density of fibrous mass31, preferably within the range of 0.1 to 0.45 gram/cc, ii) use of fine(low denier) fibers, preferably within the range of 0.9 to 6 denier,made from materials having density within the range of 1.1 to 1.4gram/cc and iii) a high Liquid Volume Ratio of body 32 of fibrous mass31,4) Controllable rate of release of air-scenting liquid, by allowingrelease and evaporation of the air-scenting liquid from pre-determinedexposed or adapted to be exposed surface segments,5) Nearly linear rate of release of the air-scenting liquid, and6) Availability in any solid (three-dimensional) form or shape,including flat, cylindrical, prism, spherical, cubical, hollow or anyother three dimensional shape, including profile-cut, embossed andsculptured shapes.

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment 40 of the air-scenting device of thepresent invention. As shown therein, air scenting device 40 comprises aninitially dry non-clogging porous bonded fibrous mass 41, made inaccordance with the teachings of the present invention, in the form of acylinder having surface segments 41-a. In comparison to the body(interior) of bonded fibrous mass 41, surface segments 41-a have atleast one of i) higher capillary pressure, ii) higher mass density, iii)lower average fiber denier, iv) higher fiber orientation index relativeto the axis of the cylinder and v) a surfactant coating. As shown inFIG. 4, fibrous mass 41 is partially wrapped with impermeable membrane42 which covers a portion of its exterior surface and leaves anuncovered portion 41-b. As desired and as a means for controlling therate of evaporation of the air scenting liquid from device 40, the areaof uncovered portion 41-b, of the exterior surface of fibrous mass 41,may be increased or decreased. Alternatively and/or additionallyimpermeable membrane 42 may be perforated as desired in order to allowevaporation of the air-scenting liquid through the perforated areas orholes. Bonded fibrous mass 41 is impregnated with an air-scenting liquidmass not exceeding the Dripping Liquid Mass (DML) of the extent ofbonded porous fibrous mass 41. Fibrous mass 41 is held by holder 44.

Holder 44 may take a variety of shapes, forms and dimensions. As shownin FIG. 4, holder 44 is in the form of a bottle cap having a threadedinterior to engage with the threaded top of external container 49.Holder 44 is also adapted to have projection 45 which engages with thetop end of cylindrical pin 43-a of encapsulating member 43, therebyencapsulating bonded fibrous mass 41. Prior to use, cap 44 and externalcontainer 49 provide a sealed containment means for air-scentingliquid-impregnated body 41. To use device 40 for air-scenting, container49 is removed and cap 44, acting as a holder of body 41 is suspended inthe space to be air-scented. A variety of means are possible forsuspending device 40. As shown in FIG. 4, cap 44 is adapted to have aperipheral extension 46 with at least one hole 47 adapted to receivehook 48 anchored to surface, wall, or device enclosure body 48-b. Toavoid contacting the air-scenting liquid contained within body 41,device 41, as received, i.e., with container 49 fully engaged with cap44, is first suspended by engaging hook 48 into hole 47 of extension 46.Next, the user of device 40 swings device 40 in direction of arrow R,shown in FIG. 4, untwists, slides and removes away container 49 andallows the device to swing back to its intended orientation.Alternatively, holding cap 44 may be adapted with two parallelnon-conductive electric outlet-type prongs (46-b) which may be insertedin a standard electric outlet. Also alternatively, holder 44 may beadapted to have a hook 46-a which may be used for suspending device 40from rod or pin 48-a.

FIG. 5 shows a flat embodiment of the device of the present invention.As shown therein and in FIG. 6, device 50 comprises non-clogging bondedporous fibrous mass 51 which is impregnated with a mass of air-scentingliquid not exceeding the dripping liquid mass of its extent. As comparedto the interior of body 51, outer surface segments 51-a have at leastone of i) higher capillary pressure, ii) higher mass density, iii) loweraverage fiber denier, iv) higher fiber orientation index relative to theaxis of device 50 and v) a surfactant coating. Impregnated bondedfibrous mass 51 is enclosed between two layers of impermeable membranes52 which are sealed around their perimeter in order to provide a sealedenclosure for air-scenting liquid-impregnated fibrous mass 51. At leastone side of impermeable membranes 52 has at least one opening/aperture54 which is initially covered by removable/peelable impermeable linear53. Membranes 52 may be adapted to have an extension 56 and a hook 56-afor adapting device 50 for suspension onto pin or rod 58. To useair-scenting device 50, the user holds tab 57 and peels liner 54 therebyallowing the evaporation of the air-scenting liquid through aperture 53.

FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of the device of the present inventionin the form of an air-scenting reed 70. As shown therein, reed 70comprises a non-clogging porous bonded fibrous mass 71 which ispartially covered by impermeable membrane 72. As compared to interior ofbody of fibrous mass 71, outer surface segments 71-a have at least oneof i) higher capillary pressure, ii) higher mass density, iii) loweraverage fiber denier, iv) higher fiber orientation index relative to theaxis of the reed and v) a surfactant coating. Additionally, to increasethe rate of evaporation of the air-scenting liquid contained within thepores of bonded fibrous mass 71, membrane 72 may also have perforations73 at locations as desired or preferred. The end of reed 70 may be cutin a plane A perpendicular to its axis, as shown in FIG. 7 where angle qis 90 degrees. Alternatively, a beveled cut may be desirable for whichangle q may be larger than or smaller than 90 degrees.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show cross-sectional views of alternative constructions ofthe non-clogging bonded porous fibrous mass. FIG. 8 shows a crosssection of a cylindrical configuration porous bonded fibrous mass 71comprising an external bonded porous fibrous region 71-a and acore/interior bonded fibrous region 71-b. In accordance with the presentinvention, fibrous regions 71-a and 71-b may have different capillarypressures, mass densities, average fiber deniers, fiber orientationindexes and/or surface coatings.

Similarly, as shown in FIG. 9, flat configuration porous bonded fibrousmass 51 comprising an external bonded porous fibrous regions 51-a andinterior bonded fibrous region 51-b. In accordance with the presentinvention, fibrous regions 51-a and 51-b may have different capillarypressures, mass densities, average fiber deniers, fiber orientationindexes and/or surface coatings.

Method

In accordance with the present invention, with reference to FIG. 3 andwith reference to and incorporation, by reference and in its entirety,of the above section, titled DEVICE, a non-dripping and spillage andleakage-proof air-scenting method comprises the following steps:

1) Providing an initially-dry porous bonded fibrous mass (31), saidfibrous mass having an initial dry mass MD, an extent L and a volume V,said fibrous mass having a body B (32) and an exterior surface S (33),said body having a capillary pressure BCP, a mass density MDB, anaverage fiber denier FDB, a fiber orientation index FOIB relative to anaxis or a direction, said exterior surface S (33) comprising surfacesegments SG (34), said surface segments SG (34) having at least one ofi) a capillary pressure SCP, where SCP is higher than said capillarypressure BCP, ii) a mass density of MDSG (gram/cubic centimeter) whereMDSG is higher than said mass density MDB, iii) an average fiber denierFDSG where FDSG is lower than said FDB, iv) fiber orientation/alignmentindex FOISG where FOISG is higher than said FOIB as measured relative tosaid axis or direction, and v) a surfactant coating applied to saidsurface segments SG (34),2) Covering or containing a portion P (36) of said surface segments SG(34) with a liquid-impermeable membrane or enclosure or within acontainer E (35), said membrane, enclosure or container containing nofree-to-flow liquid mass, and adapting the remaining portion RSG (37),of said surface segments SG (34), to be or to remain uncovered, therebyi) allowing a predetermined rate of evaporation of an air-scentingliquid—upon impregnating said fibrous mass with said air-scenting liquidand exposing/uncovering said remaining portion RSG (37) of said surfacesegments to surrounding atmosphere- to occur through said remainingportion RSG (37) of said surface segments SG (34) and ii) controllingthe rate of release of said air-scenting liquid into said surroundingatmosphere, said fibrous mass and said membrane, enclosure or containerE (35) being non-reactive (inert) to and non-absorbent of said airscenting liquid, and3) Impregnating said fibrous mass with said air-scenting liquid of massMF where MF is not exceeding the dripping liquid mass DML of said extentL of said body, thus retaining said air-scenting liquid in a squeezableliquid-phase and held entirely within the open cells/pores/capillariesof said body of said fibrous mass without dripping under the action ofthe gravitational force and regardless of the orientation of saidfibrous mass relative to the direction of the gravitational force,thereby making said air-scenting method non-dripping and spillage andleakage-proof.

In accordance with the present invention, a linear rate (or a constantrate) of releasing air freshening/scenting liquid/vapor, means that therate of release and evaporation of the air-scenting liquid during theperiod starting after the first 10% of the recommended/design durationof use and ending upon reaching 90% of the recommended duration of useis substantially constant. For example, a nearly linear/constant rateair scenting device having a nearly linear rate of release ofair-scenting liquid and a designed/recommended use period of 30 days hasa nearly constant rate of release of air-scenting liquid starting fromabout the 4^(th) day of use through the end of the 27th^(th) day of use.Naturally, in actual use, and due to fluctuations in ambient conditions,the rate of release and evaporation of the air-scenting fluid, thoughcharacterized as nearly linear, fluctuates within a range of about+/−15% of the average release and evaporation rate of the air-scentingliquid.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An air-scenting method comprising the stepsof: providing an initially-dry non-clogging porous bonded fibrous mass,said fibrous mass having an initial dry mass MD, an extent L and avolume V, said fibrous mass having a body B and an exterior surface S,said body having a capillary pressure BCP, a mass density MDB, anaverage fiber denier FDB, a fiber orientation index FOIB relative to anaxis or a direction, said exterior surface S comprising surface segmentsSG, said surface segments SG having at least one of i) a capillarypressure SCP, where SCP is higher than said capillary pressure BCP, ii)a mass density of MDSG (gram/cubic centimeter) where MDSG is higher thansaid mass density MDB, iii) an average fiber denier FDSG where FDSG islower than said FDB, iv) fiber orientation/alignment index FOISG whereFOISG is higher than said FOIB as measured relative to said axis ordirection, and v) a surfactant coating applied to said surface segments,covering or containing a portion P of said surface segments SG with aliquid-impermeable membrane or enclosure or within a container E, saidmembrane, enclosure or container containing no free-to-flow liquid mass,and adapting the remaining portion RSG, of said surface segments SG, tobe or to remain uncovered, thereby i) allowing a predetermined rate ofevaporation of an air-scenting liquid—upon impregnating said fibrousmass with said air-scenting liquid and exposing/uncovering saidremaining portion RSG of said surface segments to surroundingatmosphere- to occur through said remaining portion RSG of said surfacesegments and ii) controlling the rate of release of said air-scentingliquid into said surrounding atmosphere, said fibrous mass and saidmembrane, enclosure or container E being non-reactive (inert) to andnon-absorbent of said air scenting liquid, and impregnating said fibrousmass with said air-scenting liquid of mass MF where MF is not exceedingthe dripping liquid mass DML of said extent L of said body, thusretaining said air-scenting liquid in a squeezable liquid-phase and heldentirely within the open cells/pores/capillaries of said body of saidfibrous mass without dripping under the action of the gravitationalforce and regardless of the orientation of said fibrous mass relative tothe direction of the gravitational force, thereby making saidair-scenting method non-dripping and spillage and leakage-proof.